I found this interesting...

[lenshanem]

Letter

This is a letter a woman wrote in to savedisney. It has been awhile since I have really gone to that site and did alot of reading throughout, but this letter really struck me tonight.

Scroll down and see her list of things she noticed on her vacation, particularly the bus. How many times have we all experienced that?

Going to this site makes me want to cry. I start realizing just how much things have changed...

 

[ladycollector]

I agree with most of what she said, but I don't think this has much to do with Michael. I think she just wanted to slip that in there..

One of the first orders of business after Stupid Michael is out should be to get rid of the stupid, carnival-like Dinorama section at Animal Kingdom!

I actually like the stupid dinorama area. Its one of my FAVORITE places. Don't ask me why because I don't know but I think its just awesome.

 

[Banzai]

I too like DinoRama. It's the type of place my mother talks about visiting when she went on a road trip as a child. I like the ( a bit tacky) theming.

 

[lenshanem]

But isn't it exactly what Walt wouldn't have wanted inside a Disney theme park?

It reminds me too much of Six Flags, just done up a tad cuter.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I love WDW and I think it has changed for the better (except for the alleviation of 20,000 leagues under the sea, mr. toad's wild ride and figment's imagination). I can remember going to WDW when I was 5- 10 yrs old and the bathrooms just being disgusting!! Am I the only one who remembers feces being all over the floor and the bathrooms being in total disarray?! They are usually very clean now. I know this is just one small issue but it was the one that came to mind (I'm sure Michael E. had nothing to do with it.)

 

[jfulcer]

I had heard that they had the 20,000 leagues area boarded up (or were going to) to start re-doing it for something else. I'll have to check some rumor sites to see if that's true...

In deference to Disney, if she went during the downswing in the industry after 9/11, it's entirely possible that lower staffing levels may have caused a lot of these problems. I don't see things like this when I go, maybe I've got blinders on? I hope not!

 

[lenshanem]

20,000 is being landscaped over.

The woman mentions she goes once a year dating back to the 70s. She has been alot it appears from the letter.

I started staying onsite once I met my hubby, before that I stayed offsite since my Dad works for a popular hotel chain. I've been alot since I was a baby, starting the year it opened.

I notice the difference. True, alot of great things have happened, but I see the difference. A couple years ago when I took my parents (who hadn't been in awhile) they were dismayed by the difference.

I'm talking cleanliness, maintenance like paint fading, CM attitudes are down, attractions left closed, more thrill rides built instead of family orientated ones. Within recent years I saw a bathroom at Morocco that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in days. NO toilet paper in ANY stalls, no paper towels, no soap, trash cans overflowing until there was trash all piled up on the floor beside it, mirrors so dirty you couldn't see. We found someone to call in for help, but once I got home I promptly contacted WDW. I was not lying when I told them we stopped at roadside gas stations driving there that were way cleaner.

Next trip same thing, contacted them again.
Following trip I saw an improvement! I do think they were trying to cut back on areas like this and it just wasn't working.

Please tell me no one will disagree that there must be cutbacks on transportation? Cause last few trips it has been AWFUL.

Now I love WDW or else I wouldn't go so much, but yes I do see a difference.

Course, our world is very changed so maybe that is it?

I worry for WDW's future, things like letting creative talents such as animators go... What are they to base future attractions on? How long can they milk princess stuff?!?

 

[GeorgeG]

I have seen a decline in just about everything, including stock prices, over the past ten years, or so. About the only thing that hasn't declined is Eisner's paycheck.

I, too, fear that WDW will eventually turn into "just another amusement park." There's nothing wrong with having a few thrill rides, but not at the expense of attractions that made WDW what it is.

 

[HollyJoy]

It's sad that little details like these seem to be unimportant to Disney these days. All they seem to be interested in is $.

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, there is a reason why POTC and HM are still as popular as ever even today.

I would love to see more quality attractions like that where my whole family can be togther at once.

These are rides every age can get on! Mission Space, even the new Soarin - not for everybody.

 

[TiggerFreak]

Flaming?

I wonder what the dates of their trip where?
From the date of the letter, I'll assume sometime earlier this month.
Correct me if I'm wrong but are not the first 2 weeks of August one of the busiest if not the busiest times at WDW? Our DD visited summer of 03 and commented that the Magic was somewhat mutted due to the crowds and the heat. She has normally gone with us in October when attendence is much lower and have only seen isolated examples of unkept bathrooms and trash issues.

That said WDW is still ramping up the work force from the low levels of the past 2 years. As people began returning so has the staffing levels.

As to her statement that $342 is out of line for a room at PR..
The annual % increase from $45 in 1974 to $342 in 2004 is about 7%.
IMHO a little high but not ridiculous.
How much would your home have appreciated in 30 years?

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"including stock prices, over the past ten years, or so."***

Ten years ago the stock was at $41.00. When you adjust todays price to account for the 3-fer split that occurred in '98 it's now at $69.00. The adjusted price (after splits & dividends) is $12.10 in '94 and $22.66 today.

The stock is still down from it's glory days in the late '90's - but there are tons of stocks in the same position - but at least the numbers have been heading in the right direction the last couple years.

 

[poohbear1029]

My most vivid memory of my first trip to WDW in about 1985 was vomit all over a bathroom stall.......havent seen that level of filth in my trips during my adult years.

Dirt, soil and wear happens.....I still think Disney does a top notch job of keeping things clean compared to other entertainment venues.

 

[disney4us2002]

I appreciate her opinion but like someone else pointed out, I don't think this can be directly linked to Michael E.

The comment about IASW? Come on, that thing definitely needed refurbing. They have to do it sometime.

I like the themed rides and very much enjoy the 'family' atmosphere, but I'm a thrill rider at heart so I want what is there and more.

The Poly going from $45 to $344 sounds bad. Of course, that is also rack rate. If this person goes frequently, one would think she'd know about the many discounts available. Also, not sure as I was only 10 in '74 but I'm thinking $45 was a lot then. I know my parents bought a home in '73 for $29,000 (Wow!) and sold it in 2002 for $210,000.

 

[manning]

Many like quality, not cheap thrills

 

[Planogirl]

There is little as sad as taking the animation tour nowadays. The sight of that ghost town reminded me very much of what has changed at WDW. I saw plenty of dirty bathrooms, trash on the sidewalks and so on but that to me is peripheral stuff and I place at least part of the blame on the public. But deserted attractions and venues are another matter.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Devil's advocate. If we are all worried about our beloved place and we notice things like this, why do we complain over an increase in admission price?

What you need to have Walt's version of WDW are happy employees. The Magic can take you only so far. Happy workers are well paid, well managed workers. I know a lot of managers at WDW. They are GREAT! The pay, however, isn't the best.

Of COURSE the room and admission rates increased! Remeber your grandfater telling you he used to see a movie for a nickel? Guess what? It now takes 4 or 5 ROLLS of nickels to see a movie.

Ted

 

[lenshanem]

There is little as sad as taking the animation tour nowadays. The sight of that ghost town reminded me very much of what has changed at WDW.

Isn't this in rehab now? Wondering what they are doing to it?
We haven't walked thru there in ages. Kids would be bored and it sounds like nothing is in there anyway...

 

[Planogirl]

The Animation Building is not in rehab as far as I can tell but of course Disney might have plans for it. Most of the animators were laid off or moved elsewhere and the offices are pretty much deserted. The films are still shown and there is still a live animation display but there isn't much else.

 

[manning]

How nice, go to someone's house then have to use a dirty washroom. I wouldn't tolerate a dirty one in my house!!

But then we don't clean up like we use to.